According to a medical examiner's report, Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena had parted ways mere months before the latter's untimely demise. The heart-wrenching separation between the 40-year-old Plaza and 47-year-old Baena occurred in September 2024. A subsequent report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, obtained by PEOPLE, revealed that just a month after their split, Baena made "troubling remarks" to Plaza, prompting her to seek the help of a friend to conduct a welfare check on her estranged husband.
Following that welfare check in October 2024, Baena embarked on a journey of therapy. The official documents painted a picture of Baena grappling with "recent marital strife" with Plaza. Tragically, the talented writer-director took his own life on Friday, January 3.
Plaza received a text message from Baena on the fateful day at 10:36 a.m. ET. The report noted that Baena's body was discovered by his dogwalker, who entered the residence and stumbled upon his lifeless form.
In the wake of Baena's passing, Plaza and his family described his death as an "unfathomable tragedy." A statement released to PEOPLE read, "We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support. Please respect our privacy during this incredibly difficult time."
Baena's resume boasted an impressive array of directing and film credits. Notably, he made his directorial debut with the zombie comedy "Life After Beth," starring Plaza, and later created the anthology series "Cinema Toast," which aired on Showtime in 2021 and marked Plaza's directorial debut as well.
The couple first met and began dating in 2011. Fans learned of their marriage in May 2021 when Plaza, 40, affectionately referred to Baena as her "darling husband" in an Instagram post. A representative later confirmed their nuptials to PEOPLE.
Reflecting on their relationship in a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, Plaza said, "I think one of the wonderful aspects of our careers is that they necessitate independence, allowing us to take breaks, pursue our individual projects, and then reunite. It's kind of exhilarating. Nothing ever stays the same. You don't want to be apart for too long. But I believe there's a way to make it work, a delicate balance to strike."
